Survey of Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Radioactivity in Sachet Water Hawked in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

20 samples of sachet water produced by different sachet water making factories and hawked in Minna city were selected at random and assessed for their radioactivity content. Alpha and beta activities of the samples were determined using the eurysis system-eight-channel-gas-filled proportional counter at the Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), ABU Zaria. The results show that the alpha activity concentration range between 0.002±0.001-0.024±0.004BqL with an average value of 0.0121±0.003BqL, while the beta activity concentration vary between 0.072±0.007-0.558±0.19BqL with an average value of 0.174±0.01BqL. the overall results show that alpha and beta activities in the sampled sachet waters are below the practical screening level of radioactivity in drinking water stipulated by the World Health Organization, WHO (2004) and therefore safe for drinking and other domestic activities.